permaculture

[Marimike6@cs.com]

Dear Meg----

Once you trim your weeds above-ground, I hope you turn the soil to expose the roots. Otherwise the weeds are all still healthy. For a good hand tool, I really like the garden weasel. You can twist the root balls out. I only wish the handlebars were a little further apart-- you can't get enough torque on the tough weeds without putting some muscle into the task.

And if some of your weeds have grown into one inch diameter trees, they sell a cutting wheel now that fits many models of string trimmers. Look for it at Lowe's or Home Depot.

The next step above a weasel (I have Garden Claw) would logically be one of those little Mantis tillers-- but to me these things are just too lightweight to be of much use. They cost around three hundred, and won't even uproot a lawn. I just use mine to thatch with.

Here in North Carolina we have an industrial size weed problem-- gum trees, kudzu, some serious Green Menace. You can take care of the big stuff fairly easily with a bush hog, like the DR Field & Brush mower. You can get these things all the way up to a size that clears mature thickets, but need a bit of muscle to handle them.

And you won't be able to do without a chipper/shredder either. Get one at least five & a half HP (8 ot 9 is better) and your back forty, last sown in 1998, can be converted into mulch without a great investment in blister creams or liniment.

If we can't find powerful gas-powered man-toys to help us with the work, we just don't much like doing it. If you have a circle of like-minded friends in the neighborhood, consider pooling some funds for a really good set of heavy duty farm equipment. You can rent it to yourselves on a co-op basis, using the rental fees to reimburse someone for upkeep, storage and repairs. Run it like a lending library.

Hope this helps. When in doubt, buy the next size larger than you think you need-- it pays off!

Mike Elvin
Fuquay-Varina, NC

--- Begin Message ---

• From: Meg Mullett <meg@kcnet.com>
• To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
• Subject: Re: [permaculture] Allan needs advice on selecting a brush cutter.
• Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 09:28:48 -0600

One of the best tools we've purchased so far was a high wheel line trimmer:

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summary/productsummary.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0690223976.1036075892@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccigadcgjdedfhdcehgcemgdffmdflh.0&vertical=SEARS&bidsite=&pid=07177375000

Far as I can tell, it's pretty much the same as the DR mower at a much lower
price.

It takes care of most of our problems, - spreading sumac, thistles, chicory,
small trees, giant ragweed, sunflowers, milkweeds, sage, asparagus
trees, etc. I would imagine that between one of those and a good pair of
loppers you could clear your overgrown garden pretty quickly.

We've used it alot on our property to clear fencelines, under vineyard rows,
old pasture, new garden space, etc. It always starts up, has never
(yet) broken down, and works like a champ. Being on wheels, its a lot easier
on your back, arms and shoulders that an over the shoulder type
machine. We probably use it over 200 hrs a year.

The thing I like most about it is that it will tell you if it can't handle a
particular shrub/tree/whatever by just breaking the line. It won't work
overtime on it, risking burning up the motor or something. The lines are
very inexpensive and easy to replace. (We buy a whole roll at a time and
cut them to length ourselves.One roll has lasted us over a year.) Takes
about 20 seconds to put on new line(s). When we're clearing an area, I
always start with that, get out all the small to medium stuff, then come in
after with a slingblade, machete or chainsaw, depending on what's
required.

I have to admit that Weed Wrench looks pretty interesting to me. I think
that might be going onto my holiday wish list this year :)

Hope this helps,
Meg








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